Faculty of Arts Islamic Studies

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Faculty of Arts

Table of Contents

1. Time commitment to study
2. Prerequisites
3. Diploma in Arts (Islamic Studies)
4. Requirements for a major
5. Islamic Studies subjects
    5.1. Core subjects
    5.2. Optional subjects
6. Honours
7. Career opportunities
8. For more information
Subject Lists
    First/second-year subjects
    Second/third-year subjects

Convener: Professor Abdullah Saeed (MIALS)

Islam is one of the fastest growing religions in the world. It is embraced by approximately one-fifth of the world's population. The Islamic studies program at the University of Melbourne provides students with the opportunity to study the development of Islamic thought and Muslim society from a broad multidisciplinary perspective. Dedicated teaching staff provide expertise in areas ranging from modern Islamic hermeneutics, political thought and gender issues, to the study of economics and finance in Muslim societies. Students who specialise in Islamic studies develop transferable skills that will enhance their career options. They are also able to expand on their interest and knowledge through an articulated structure of higher degree study at the University of Melbourne.

Islamic studies is one of a number of programs that constitute the Melbourne Institute of Asian Languages and Societies (MIALS). The institute was established in 1998 as a major teaching and research initiative to strengthen the University of Melbourne's role as a major international centre for studies in Asian languages and societies. Islamic studies addresses the issues relevant to the development of Islam as a religion and civilisation from its origins to the present. It draws on broad multidisciplinary perspectives provided by subjects taught by the departments of anthropology, Arabic studies, cultural studies, history, Indonesian studies, philosophy, political science and Islamic studies.

1. Time commitment to study

As well as scheduled contact hours for lectures, tutorial and seminars a considerable additional time committment is needed to complete the academic requirements of each subect.

A subject-specific time commitment to study will be provided by your lecturer or tutor at the beginning of semester to help you schedule your workload and successfully manage your time during the semester. In addition, general estimates of the total time commitment required to study a 12.5-point single semester subject in the Faculty of Arts can be found on Time commitment to study.

2. Prerequisites

The Islamic studies program commences in second year. The general prerequisite for entry is the completion of 50 points of first year from any area of study within the Faculty of Arts. Unless otherwise stated there are no specific prerequisites, and subjects do not presuppose knowledge of the Arabic language.

3. Diploma in Arts (Islamic Studies)

The Diploma in Arts (Islamic Studies) is only available to students who are currently enrolled in a degree course at the University of Melbourne. It consists of a three-year sequence of study, and adds one year to the duration of your degree.

Students must complete 25 points of first-year arts subjects and 75 points of second/third-year subjects selected from the lists below, including 110-089 Understanding the Muslim World. Alternatively, students who have completed appropriate background studies at first year may complete 100 points of second/third-year subjects from the list below.

4. Requirements for a major

A major in Islamic studies usually consists of nine 12.5-point subjects, totalling 112.5 points. It comprises:

• two first-year subjects from any area of study (25 points); and

• seven second/third-year subjects (totalling 87.5 points). These must include:

  • the program's compulsory subject: 110-089 Understanding the Muslim World (12.5 points); and

  • four subjects from the list of core subjects below (50 points); and

  • two subjects from the list of optional subjects below (25 points).

5. Islamic Studies subjects

5.1. Core subjects

Students must take at least four of the following core subjects towards their Islamic studies major in addition to the program's compulsory subject 110-089 Understanding the Muslim World.

5.2. Optional subjects

Students may take not more than two of the following optional subjects toward their Islamic studies major. Students must consult the relevant area of study entries in this handbook to make sure that they meet the prerequisites, if any, for entry to these subjects.

6. Honours

Currently there is no honours program in Islamic studies.

7. Career opportunities

The Islamic studies program is expected to be particularly attractive to students interested in working in an area where success depends at times on their understanding of Islam and Islamic culture. Examples of such areas include foreign affairs, international trade, immigration, ethnic affairs, journalism, social work and teaching.

8. For more information

Melbourne Institute of Asian Languages and Societies
Sidney Myer Asia Centre
The University of Melbourne
Victoria 3010
Tel: +61 3 8344 5990
Fax: +61 3 9349 4870
Email: mials-enquiries@unimelb.edu.au
Web: http://www.islamic.unimelb.edu.au

First/second-year subjects

110-089 Understanding the Muslim World

Second/third-year subjects

110-091 Islam and Political Activism
110-210 Muslim Philosophy and Thought
110-211 Great Texts of Islam: Qur'an
110-215 Muslim Intellectuals and Modernity
110-222 Islam and Human Rights
110-223 Islam and Muslims in Australia
110-224 Islamic Mysticism (Sufism)

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